JOB DESCRIPTION – Graduate Assistant (Hall Technician) Reports to: Director of Cultural Activities Responsible to: Warden Relates to: Pupils Teaching staff Non-teaching staff Job Summary Founded in 1863, St Edward’s is an independent, co-educational boarding school situated in North Oxford. There are presently 678 pupils, of whom 546 are boarders. The school has a strong academic record. Pupils usually take 10 GCSEs/iGCSEs, with 63% of pupils achieving A*/A grades in 2014. Over 70% of the exams taken at 16 are IGCSE. A few pupils will leave the school after GCSE, and between 20 and 30 pupils join our Sixth Form, but the expectation is that pupils stay with us throughout their secondary schooling. In the Sixth Form, pupils study either A Levels or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. At A level, our A*-A (IB 6-7) rate in 2014 was 51%. IB results were impressive, with an average score for the school of 37. Over 95% of our leavers proceed to university, and up to a tenth of the year group are awarded a place at Oxford or Cambridge. The school exists to provide an excellent all-round education to each individual in its care. In terms of ability, we encourage a broad intake (the Common Entrance hurdle is 55%). We aim for pupils to gain the best academic results of which they are capable but further develop learning behaviours (collaboration, communication, reflection, thought and resilience) that allow each individual to flourish beyond university. The co-curricular life of the school is rich and highly valued and plays a full part in school life. Pupils are expected to pursue a wide range of interests monitored by a Director of Cultural Activities and a Director of Sports and Activities. The school week includes lessons on Saturday mornings, although leave weekends or exeats (which occur about every three weeks) usually begin at lunchtime on Fridays. St Edward’s is a traditional boarding school with most boarders in school on Saturday night. Day pupils benefit from a boarding education by staying to 9.00 p.m. on weekdays. Pupils take part in a wide range of sports and activities in the afternoons and at weekends. St Edward’s has a national reputation for sport, both boys’ and girls’ teams have been county and regional champions in a variety of sports and at all ages. The Graduate Assistant post offers an opportunity for a graduate to gain experience of the independent sector in education and of a boarding environment. It enables the graduate to take stock of their situation, especially if they are considering a teaching career. The work is varied and that variety is, to some extent, determined by the personality, enthusiasm and skills of the individual. Arts at St Edward’s/The North Wall In 2006 St Edward’s opened The North Wall Arts Centre, a state-of-the-art professional theatre and gallery space. The venue offers a fully flexible 200 seat theatre, a public art gallery and studios for dance and drama. The programme of events at The North Wall incorporates the very best contemporary theatre, dance, music, opera, comedy, spoken word and children’s theatre, and places an emphasis on new and innovative work. As well as offering an inspiring public programme, The North Wall is home to school drama and dance activities and pupils often get the chance to work with highly skilled professional performers, directors and designers as a result. There are many crossovers between The North Wall and the school hall with the latter hosting an extremely busy programme of both academic and extra-curricular events during evenings and weekends. The equipment in the hall is maintained by the Graduate Assistant and The North Wall’s technical team. During the summer term most activities transfer from the school hall to The North Wall owing to public examinations. The Graduate Assistant Hall Technician post therefore offers an opportunity for a graduate to gain experience of theatre technical work, event management and the performing arts, while working within a boarding school environment. The work is varied and that variety is, to some extent, determined by the personality, enthusiasm and skills of the individual. Main Duties and Responsibilities  To be responsible for the operation of all technical aspects of the school hall; providing lighting and sound for productions, shows and events as required. (Weekend work will frequently be necessary).  To encourage and regulate pupil involvement in the technical aspects of the School Hall and North Wall operation. Support for work in the school hall will be provided by David Moore and the contribution to the work of The North Wall will be regulated by Clive Stevenson.  Advising and supporting the pupils in matters concerning theatrical technical support.  Supporting the work of the Drama department during academic teaching time as directed by the Head of Drama and assisting in examined drama productions where appropriate.  Spending one evening a week in the boarding house to which they are linked providing tutorial support for the Housemistress or Housemaster.  To undertake training in the Health and Safety requirements for working on lighting and sound (eg Tallescope training). Duration of employment The contract will begin on 1 September 2015 and end on 4 July 2016 (end date is provisional). Salary Salary will be paid in ten equal monthly instalments, between September 2015 and June 2016. The current annual salary for this role is £16,532 - this figure will be reviewed in advance of September 2015. Accommodation Accommodation and full board is provided by the school and a monthly sum is deducted from net pay to reflect the cost of accommodation and meals. The current monthly deduction is £413, to be reviewed in advance of September 2015. Holidays The Graduate Assistant will not be required to stay at school during vacations and half-terms. Included in these vacation periods is a period of paid holiday. The role is entitled to 5.6 weeks paid annual holiday, pro rata to the length of the contract, payment for which is included in the salary detailed above. Miscellaneous Employees may use the Oxfordshire Health & Racquets Club, however, this is not a contractual entitlement. Sickness Benefit There will be an entitlement to one month’s sickness benefit at full pay during the period of employment. Termination of Employment The minimum period of notice required to be given by either the postholder or the school is one month, or a period of notice terminating on 4 July 2016, whichever is the shorter. Confidentiality and Data Protection In the course of their employment, staff may have access to confidential information relating to pupils and their families and are required to exercise due consideration in the way they use such information. Staff should not act in any way which might be prejudicial to the school’s interest. Information which may be included in the category covers both the general business of the school and information regarding specific individuals. A strict code of confidentiality must be adhered to at all times. The school is registered under the Data Protection Act 1984 and staff must not at any time use the personal data held by the school or disclose such data to a third person. Child Protection at St Edward’s St Edward’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we aim to create and maintain a safe environment for our pupils, where they feel respected and supported. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to become familiar with our policies and procedures for child protection and security. It is a requirement of the Children Act and Care Standards Regulations that all employees of the school must receive enhanced clearance from the DBS. Selection Process Those candidates whose applications we are pursuing will be contacted shortly after the closing date and invited to interview. At this stage we will take up references unless the candidate explicitly asks us not to contact a referee at this stage. If you would like further information about this post, please contact the Director of Cultural Activities, Neville Creed, preferably by email: [email protected]. Applications may be made online via the school website: www.stedwardsoxford.org. Manually completed application forms should be sent to Recruitment Manager, St Edward’s School, Woodstock Rd, Oxford OX2 7NN (or via email to: [email protected]). Closing date for applications: 12 noon on Monday 23 February. PERSON SPECIFICATION – Graduate Assistant (Hall Technician) Headings Essential Qualities Personal Circumstances The ability to be flexible in hours of work, as required by the demands of the role (within reason and subject to mutual agreement) Personal Attributes A positive and good humoured nature Ability to maintain confidentiality Accuracy and an eye for detail A willingness to carry out a variety of tasks Excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to work well as part of a team and with people of all ages Desirable Qualities PERSON SPECIFICATION – Graduate Assistant (Hall Technician) (continued) Personal Attributes (continued) Willingness to work with pupils in both teaching and mentoring roles and a commitment to developing the skills and abilities of young people. Educational qualifications Honours Degree Skills, abilities and experience Some experience of stage management and/or theatre technical work eg:  Rigging and focusing lights  Programming lighting boards  Basic sound operation Good spoken and written English Excellent administrative and organisational skills IT literacy: proficiency in the basic functions of MS Word and intermediate level MS Excel An understanding of health and safety legislation and safe working practices, particularly in a venue and/or educational context The ability to work well under direction, but also to use own initiative when required The ability to prioritise and manage changing workloads and situations Child protection Commitment to the protection of children and young people Willingness to work within the Child Protection guidance for staff and to follow relevant organisational procedures. Experience of managing events or functions Experience of leadership and/or working in a supervisory capacity Previous work with children and young people